‘Wheel’ and ‘Judy’ Tops In Syndie Rankings

Dr. Phil (CTD) solidified its position as the heir to Oprah, easily winning the talk show race for the 16^th time this season in the week ending Feb. 12, which included the first full week of the February sweep.

Phil averaged an audience of approximately 4.6 million, or 500,000 more viewers than his nearest rival, and notched its highest rating since its September season premiere.

The top doc scored a 3.5, which was up 6% from the week before in households and up 12% among women 25-54 to a 1.9. In addition, Phil grew 13 from last year at this time.

Dr. Oz (Sony) was second with a 7% gain to a new season high 3.1; Ellen DeGeneres (WBDTD) added 13% to a new season high 2.7, tying Live with Kelly (Disney-ABC), which was flat at a 2.7, for third place. However, Ellen was up 4% from the same week last year, while Live was down 13%.

Maury (NBCU) tacked on 4% to a 2.6, although it dropped from fourth to fifth place, while The Doctors (CTD) hit a new season high 1.7, improving 6%.

In the metered markets, slow rollout Access Hollywood Live (NBCU) was up 11% in households from last February to a 1.0 rating/3 share and grew 17% among women 25-54 in the first week of the sweep.

First-Run Freshmen

Back in the national ratings, Anderson (WBDTD), this season’s top rookie in first run, strengthened 7% in households to a 1.5, while surging 17% among women 18-49 and 25% among women 25-54. Jeremy Kyle (Debmar-Mercury) and We the People with Gloria Allred (Entertainment Studios) were unchanged at 0.7 and 0.5, respectively. New latenight dating show Excused (CTD) dipped 14% to a 0.6.

Court Shows

Elsewhere in daytime, Judge Judy (CTD) held steady at its season high 7.6 and led the court shows by a wide margin. Judge Joe Brown (CTD) advanced 3% from the week before to a 3.1 and took second place for the 683^rd consecutive week. People’s Court (WBDTD) and Judge Alex (Twentieth) were flat 2.2 and 1.8, respectively; while Judge Mathis (WBDTD) fell 6% to a 1.7.

Magazine Shows

In access, none of the magazines declined from the prior session. Extra (WBDTD) showed the most growth, climbing 13% week to week and 6% year to year to a 1.8, equaling its season high. In addition, it scored double-digit improvements in every key female demo.

Entertainment Tonight (CTD) topped the magazines with a 3% rise to a 4.0, while its Entertainment Tonight Weekend surged 18% to a new season high 2.6; Inside Edition (CTD)upticked 3% to a 3.3; Access Hollywood (NBCU) increased 5% to a 2.2 in households, matching its season high and climbed 7% among women 25-54; TMZ (WBDTD) was flat at a 2.2; while The Insider (CTD) held firm at its season high 1.8.

Game Shows

In game show action, Wheel of Fortune (CTD) inched ahead 1% to a 7.7; Jeopardy (CTD) picked up 3% to a 6.4; Family Feud (Debmar-Mercury) was flat at a 3.2; while Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (Disney-ABC) advanced 4% to a 2.6.

Off-Net Sitcoms

In off-net syndication, rookie Big Bang Theory (WBDTD) was unchanged at a 7.6, but still led the sitcoms. Two and a Half Men (WBDTD) added 2% to a 6.6; Family Guy (Twentieth) grew 12% to a new season high 4.6; How I Met Your Mother (Twentieth) rose 3% to a 3.3; Seinfeld (Sony) was up 4% to a 2.7; and Everybody Loves Raymond (CTD) lost 8% to a 2.4.

Among newcomers, 30 Rock (NBCU) held steady at a 1.4 in latenight and was second to Big Bang, while It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Twentieth) and Till Death (Sony) were flat at 1.2 and 0.7, respectively.

Off-Net Weekly Hours

Criminal Minds (CTD) widened its lead over the off-net weekly hours, surging 29% to a new season high 4.0. Law & Order (NBCU) was a somewhat distant second with a 7% hike to a 3.0. Without a Trace (WBDTD) was right behind, picking up 7% to a new season high 2.9; and Monk (NBCU) sank 4% to a 2.5, tying The Closer (WBDTD), which jumped 14% to a 2.5.